Versatile cover-ups: Traditional covers-ups are making way for multi-use garments, such as jersey dresses that can go from “pool to barbecue or pool to picnic or out at night,” Rubin said. Other options: Shirtdresses or oversized men’s button-down shirts, caftans and tunics that hit midthigh or at the knee.

The finances

Return of the one piece: Sales of one-piece swimsuits have gone up. Data from market research group NPD show one-piece sales increasing 15 percent from the April 2012-March 2013 period to the April 2013-March 2014 period. One-piece sales netted $819.6 million during 2013-14 range compared with $783.9 million for two-piece swimsuits, which saw a 9 percent loss.

“The one-piece has the ability to be able to contour one’s figure in a better way,” said Marshal Cohen, NPD’s chief retail analyst.

Mix and match: Women are increasingly buying a basic swim bottom that fits well and pairing it with multiple tops in different lengths and patterns. NPD data show sales of $550.5 million for swimwear tops from April 2013 to March 2014 compared with $368.7 million for bottoms.

“Women aren’t concerned as much anymore about having a complete matchy-matchy outfit,” Cohen said. “It’s perfectly OK to buy a $9 top and put it with a $20 bottom.”

Overall sales: The women’s swimwear market totaled $2.9 billion in sales from April 2013 to March 2014, according to NPD. That’s up slightly from $2.8 billion during the 2012-13 period.

Cover-ups saw a 7 percent increase in sales from the April 2012-March 2013 period to the April 2013-March 2014 period.